Donald Trump says the US is pausing its operation to guide stranded ships through the Strait of Hormuz – but its blockade of Iranian ports will continue, the BBC reports.
In a social media post, the US president says the pause will last “for a short period of time to see whether or not” a peace deal with Iran “can be finalised.”
Iranian state media hails the move as a victory, saying Trump has “retreated” and accuses the president of trying to “cover up the failure” of his operation.
Dubbed “Project Freedom”, the US operation said it would help free the 2,000 ships and 20,000 seafarers the UN estimates have been stuck at sea in the strait.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the offensive stage of the Iran war is “over” and that the US had achieved its objectives.
